There’s something incredibly sweet (and a little surreal) about watching your preschooler get ready for kindergarten. One minute they’re mastering finger paints and snack time, the next they’re prepping for their first real backpack and school-day routine. If your little one is approaching this milestone, you’re probably wondering how to make it all feel a little less, well, overwhelming.
At Celebree School of Perry Hall, we support kindergarten readiness in Perry Hall, MD, by helping children grow into confident, curious, and capable learners. And while no one can fully prepare for those first-day butterflies (yours or theirs), a few thoughtful steps this summer can make a huge difference when the big day arrives.
So grab your coffee and a notepad. Here’s how to smooth the transition and set your child up for kindergarten success:
- Start with the Social Stuff
Kindergarten is a lot more fun (and a lot less scary) when kids know how to interact with others. Sharing, taking turns, using kind words—these are all part of the kindergarten social toolkit.
How to help at home:
- Set up casual playdates or head to local playgrounds for group play.
- Play board games that involve turn-taking and fair play.
- Talk about friendship skills: “How do you ask to play?” or “What can you say when you need help?”
At Celebree, we embed social-emotional learning into every part of the day because being a kind, cooperative friend is just as important as knowing your letters.
- Practice Following Directions
In a classroom, kids are expected to listen to instructions and act on them, sometimes in a group, sometimes one-on-one.
You can make it fun by:
- Giving two- or three-step directions: “Pick out a book, sit on the rug, and wait for me.”
- Playing classic games like “Simon Says” or “Freeze Dance.”
- Asking your child to repeat instructions back to you.
Listening is a skill (and one that gets better with practice).
- Build Independence
Kindergarten teachers love kids who can hang up their backpacks, use the bathroom on their own (a must), and open their snack containers. These tasks build confidence, too!
Ways to build independence:
- Encourage your child to dress themselves, even if it means mismatched socks.
- Practice opening lunchboxes and zippered bags.
- Give your child small responsibilities like setting the table or helping pack their backpack.
Independence may take longer now, but it pays off big-time in the fall.
- Get Into a Routine
Preschool days are often flexible, but kindergarten? Not so much. A consistent daily routine can help your child feel prepared and confident about what’s coming next.
Here’s how to get started:
- Wake up and go to bed at consistent times (yes, even during summer).
- Create a visual schedule for your child to follow.
- Include learning time, play time, and quiet time in your daily flow.
Bonus: routines help cut down on power struggles and create a sense of security.
- Focus on Emotional Readiness
Starting kindergarten means saying goodbye in the morning, adjusting to a new environment, and managing big emotions along the way. Emotional readiness is huge.
Try this at home:
- Talk about feelings and how to express them: “It’s okay to feel nervous. What helps you feel calm?”
- Read books about starting school and discuss what the characters experience.
- Use role play to practice things like saying goodbye or meeting a new teacher.
At Celebree, we teach kids how to identify and manage their emotions so they feel empowered in new situations.
- Keep Learning Playful
You don’t need to sit your child down with a stack of worksheets. Learning through play is the best way to build kindergarten readiness without pressure.
Incorporate learning into daily fun:
- Sort toys by color or shape.
- Count steps as you walk up the stairs.
- Read aloud every day, and ask your child questions about the story.
Curiosity is the engine behind learning and it’s something we nurture every day at Celebree.
Ready, Set… Kindergarten!
Kindergarten readiness doesn’t happen overnight but it does happen with a little daily support, encouragement, and a whole lot of love. At Celebree School of Perry Hall, we’re proud to partner with families to ease the transition and prepare kids for all the fun, growth, and adventure kindergarten has to offer.
With the right skills and the right mindset, your child won’t just survive the first day. They’ll thrive. Let’s get them ready, together.
